Wallowa Onion: A Rare Pacific Northwest Native Worth Knowing About
If you’ve never heard of the Wallowa onion (Allium tolmiei var. platyphyllum), you’re definitely not alone. This little-known native plant is one of the Pacific Northwest’s best-kept secrets – and by best-kept, I mean it’s so rare and obscure that even seasoned native plant enthusiasts might scratch their heads when you mention it.
What Is the Wallowa Onion?
The Wallowa onion is a perennial forb – basically a non-woody herbaceous plant – that belongs to the vast Allium family. You might know its more famous relatives like chives, garlic, and ornamental alliums that grace many gardens. This particular variety goes by the scientific name Allium tolmiei var. platyphyllum, though you might also see it referenced by its synonym, Allium platyphyllum.
As a native species to the lower 48 states, this onion has made its home exclusively in Idaho and Oregon, giving it quite a limited range compared to its more widespread cousins.
The Challenge of Growing Wallowa Onion
Here’s where things get tricky – and honestly, a bit frustrating for us native plant lovers. Despite being a legitimate native species, there’s surprisingly little information available about how to actually grow Allium tolmiei var. platyphyllum. We’re talking about a plant so uncommon that specific cultivation details, preferred growing conditions, and even basic care requirements remain largely unknown.
What we do know is that it appears to have some level of conservation concern, though the exact rarity status remains unclear. This raises important questions about whether home gardeners should even attempt to grow this species, and if so, how to do it responsibly.
Should You Plant Wallowa Onion?
Given the limited information and apparent rarity of this species, I’d recommend extreme caution before adding Wallowa onion to your garden. Here’s why:
- The plant’s conservation status suggests it may be vulnerable
- No established cultivation practices exist for home gardeners
- Seeds or plants would be extremely difficult to source responsibly
- We don’t know its specific habitat requirements for successful growth
If you’re absolutely determined to grow this species, any plant material should come only from reputable native plant societies or conservation organizations with proper collection protocols. Never collect from wild populations.
Better Native Allium Alternatives
Instead of chasing after this elusive onion, consider these more available native Allium species that offer similar benefits:
- Nodding onion (Allium cernuum): Widely available with drooping flower clusters
- Wild onion (Allium canadense): Easy to grow with edible bulbs
- Drummond’s onion (Allium drummondii): Beautiful pink flowers, great for pollinators
These alternatives will give you the classic Allium appeal – those distinctive flower clusters that pollinators absolutely love – without the ethical and practical concerns surrounding rare species cultivation.
The Bottom Line
The Wallowa onion represents one of those fascinating but frustrating aspects of native plant gardening: not every native species is suitable for or available to home gardeners. Sometimes the most responsible thing we can do is appreciate these rare plants from afar and focus our garden efforts on native species that we can grow successfully and sustainably.
If you’re passionate about supporting Idaho and Oregon native plants, there are dozens of other native species from these regions that would love a spot in your garden and won’t keep you up at night wondering if you’re doing the right thing. After all, the best native plant garden is one filled with thriving, responsibly-sourced plants – not rare specimens that struggle or raise conservation concerns.
